Ocala man pleads guilty to killing/decapitating his grandmother; will be sentenced in July
Nicholas James Trench stood at the podium Monday morning and didn't waver when he told Circuit Judge Lisa Herndon that he's guilty.
Trench is charged with the death of his 77-year-old grandmother, whose decapitated body was found inside her southwest Ocala residence a little more than a year ago.
The judge accepted the guilty plea and set sentencing for July. There is no plea bargain on the table. He could face up to life in prison.
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Assistant Public Defender Michael Novak told the court that the defense has suggested sentences to the state, but all were rejected. Assistant State Attorney Marissa Meyer told the court that one offer was for 50 years behind bars, but it wasn't accepted.
Novak said his client told him not to question any witnesses, take any statements or do anything on his case. The lawyer said Trench did not want to see any pictures or videos collected in evidence because he didn't want to relive the incident.
The 32-year-old Ocala man confirmed to the judge that Novak's statements to the court about his wishes were correct.
Trench has decided to let the judge sentence him in what's considered an open plea. He could receive up to life behind bars. The court was told that based on Trench's score sheet, his lowest possible sentence under state sentencing guidelines is 26½ years in prison.
Facing seven charges that include second-degree murder, abuse of a dead human body and exposure of sexual organs (in a separate case), Trench told the judge he understands she could sentence him up to life in prison. He also told the court that he's not going to appeal the sentence.
The judge told the lawyers that she will sentence Trench in July. The attorneys said the sentencing hearing could last more than an hour, with family members expected to attend.
Two family members listened to Monday's hearing via Zoom. They did not make any comment.
At the conclusion of the hearing, Trench told the judge thank you and said he hoped she had a good day. He shook his lawyer's hand and was taken to the back by a bailiff. From there, he will be transported back to the Marion County Jail to await sentencing.
A gruesome discovery inside Alice Trench's home
Marion County Sheriff's detectives said Alice Trench's body was discovered inside her Hidden Oaks home, on Southwest 75th Terrace, during a March 26, 2021 well-being check.
The deputy conducting the well-being check said he smelled kerosene outside the home. The deputy notified the county fire department.
Authorities forced their way into the residence and discovered a headless body that also was missing its left arm. The body was in the shower with water running. The severed body parts were found in a laundry basket, detectives said.
A small fire had been set inside the home. Officials later identified the victim found in the home as Alice Trench.
As deputies were investigating the gruesome death, they were told that a man, later identified as Trench's grandson, was naked and roaming around a nearby daycare at 7880 SW 103rd Street Road. Their investigation into Trench revealed that he lived with grandmother.
Trench was taken into custody and Interviewed by sheriff's detectives. Officials said Trench had a difficult time explaining his grandmother's death and the fire. At the time, he was on probation for domestic battery by strangulation in another case.
A Medical Examiner's Office report notes the woman's death was consistent with strangulation and suffocation, with a contributing factor of blunt force trauma to the chest.
The detectives said they were able to link the victim's death to her grandson through footage from a surveillance video and recorded jail conversations he had with at least two people.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com.
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Florida man pleads guilty to killing, decapitating his grandmother
